From kidusmaros.org and ethiopiantewahedo.org:
Week One, Day Two
The Second Day
Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Kidane Mehret, St. Philothes of Antioch, Abba Saint Palladius
The Second Day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father…
Opening Prayer
O God Our Lord, who are the source of all good things; give us your grace, and help us to start this new day with you and end it with you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Holy Son, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, One God. Now and forever. Amen. Our Father…. O may Lady Mary…
Psalm 9: 1 – 20
9:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvellous works. 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to your name, O thou most High. 9:3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence. 9:4 For you have maintained my right and my cause; you sit in the throne judging right. 9:5 You have rebuked the heathen, you have destroyed the wicked, you have put out their name forever and ever. 9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and you have destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 9:7 But the Lord shall endure forever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 9:9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 9:10 And they that know your name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, have not forsaken them that seek thee. 9:11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwells in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 9:12 When he makes inquisition for blood, he remembers them: he forgets not the cry of the humble. 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that lifts me up from the gates of death: 9:14 That I may recount all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation. 9:15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 9:16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. 9:19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in your sight. 9:20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 10: 1 – end
10:1 Why stand afar off, O Lord? why hide thou thyself in times of trouble? 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 10:3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 10:5 His ways are always grievous; your judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffs at them. 10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 10:8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 10:9 He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draws him into his net. 10:10 He croucheth, and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. 10:12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand: forget not the humble. 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. 10:14 You have seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand: the poor committeth himself to thee; you are the helper of the fatherless. 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. 10:16 The Lord is King forever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. 10:17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause your ear to hear: 10:18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 11: 1 – end
11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 11:5 The Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates. 11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 11:7 For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Jonah 2: 1 – 9
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of She’ol I cried, and thou didst hear my voice. For thou didst cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood was around about me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, “I am cast out from your presence; how shall I again look upon your holy temple?” The waters closed in over me, the deep was around about me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet thou didst bring up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to thee, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to thee; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!” He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet, shall receive the saint’s …
2nd Reading
Romans 5: 1 – 5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 65:1 – 2
65:1Praise is due to thee, O God, in Zion; and to thee shall all vows be performed, 65:2 O thou who hearest prayer! To thee shall all flesh come. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 18:5 – 8
Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and be drowned in depth of sea. “Woe to the world for temptation to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. Heaven and earth shall pass away….
Concluding prayer:
God of power and mercy, your steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear you, and your righteousness to children’s children to those who keep your covenant. Grant us your grace and love. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. Our Father… O may Lady Mary…
Day 2
Evening Prayer
In the name of the Father and……..
Opening Prayer
O God Our Lord, who are the source of all good things; give us your grace, and help us to start this new night with you and end it with you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Holy Son, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, One God. Now and forever. Amen. Our Father…. O may Lady Mary…
Psalm 12: 1-8
12:1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 12:3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things: 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him. 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 12:7 Thou shall keep them, O Lord, thou shall preserve them from this generation forever. 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 13: 1-6
13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? forever? how long wilt thou hide your face from me? 13:2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 13:3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 13:4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 13:5 But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 13:6 I will sing to the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 14: 1-7
14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. 14:5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 14:6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge. 14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Reading
1st Reading
Jeremiah 42: 19-22
The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day. For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me to the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us to the Lord our God; and according to all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare to us, and we will do it. And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me to you. Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn. He who receives the prophet, by the prophet by the name of the prophet …
2nd Reading
Romans 6: 12-14
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. He who receives the saint, by the name of the saint …
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 34: 1-2
34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. John 15: 12-14
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life…
Concluding Prayer
God of power and mercy, your steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear you, and your righteousness to children’s children to those who keep your covenant. Grant us your grace and love. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. Our Father… O may Lady Mary…
The Synaxarium:
THE FIFTH MONTH
TIR 16
(January 24)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day Saint Philotheus, which name being interpreted is “lover of God,” became a martyr. This saint was a man of Antioch, and his parents worshipped a bull which was called “Maraged.” And they fed the bull on fine flour, which was boiled and mixed with fat, and seed-oil, and the honey of bees, and they anointed him with scented unguents thrice daily, and gave him wine and seed-oil to drink; and they built one house for him to live in during the winter and another for the summer. And they placed a collar of gold round his neck, and rings of gold on his fore legs and hind legs. Now this saint was of very goodly appearance. And when he was ten years old his parents talked to him, and told him that he must worship the bull, but he would neither listen to their words nor do this thing, and because of their love for him, and because they did not wish to annoy him, they let him alone. Now Saint Philotheus did not know Christ, and he thought that the sun was God. And he stood up before the sun, saying, “I beseech thee, O sun, if thou art God, to tell me so”; and a voice came unto him from above, saying, “I am not God, but I am the servant and messenger of God Whom thou knowest, and thy blood shall be shed for the Name of God--Glory be to Him!” And when God saw the integrity of heart of the boy Philotheus, He sent His angel to him at that moment, and the angel informed him about the mystery of God, and opened his heart so that he might understand what he said unto him; and when he had told him everything, beginning with the creation of the world, and ending with the Incarnation of our Lord Christ, the heart of the boy rejoiced and his spirit was glad. From that day he fasted, and prayed many prayers frequently, and he ate bread and salt only, and he gave alms to the poor and needy. And when a year had passed his parents determined to give a feast to his friends and companions, and they required of their son to offer incense in honor of the bull, before they ate and drank. And the boy Philotheus stood up before the bull, and said unto him, “Is it true that thou art a god whom men worship?” And a voice came forth from the bull which said, “I am not a god, but Satan hath entered my heart and I have become a deceiver of men.” Then the bull rose up and attacked the parents of the saint, and he gored them with his horns, and killed them. And the saint commanded his slaves to kill the bull [and they did so], and they burnt him in the fire, and scattered [his ashes] to the winds. And the parents of the saint were lying there dead, and God gave grace to Saint Philotheus, and he prayed over them, and their souls returned to them, and they rose up straightway and told him how they had seen the punishments which were [inflicted] in Sheol. And after this Saint Philotheus and his parents were baptized with Christian baptism in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. And God gave him grace and power and he healed many sick folk by his prayer. And the report of him reached Diocletian the emperor, who sent and had him brought to him. And he said unto Saint Philotheus, “Cast incense to Apollo”; and he promised to give him many things if he would do so; and the saint rejected his promised things and his words. And the emperor commanded the soldiers to punish him with every kind of torture, [and they did so]. They first beat him with whips, and then they laid stones on his belly, and they did everything they could; but he was strong in the strength of God our Lord Jesus Christ. And he cursed the infidel emperor, and his unclean gods, until they smote him on the mouth, and cut out his tongue and broke his teeth; and when they had done all these things to him he would not hearken to the voice of the emperor. Then the emperor began to persuade him, and to use words of blandishment and flattery to him, but Saint Philotheus laughed at him, and promised that he would worship that idol; and the emperor rejoiced at this and imagined that he would really do so. And he commanded his servants to bring Apollo, and the men and priests of the idols, and a herald went through the city who cried out, saying, “Come, O all ye people, so that ye may see Philotheus worshipping Apollo”: and all the people gathered together about the tribune. And as they were bringing the idols along the road, Saint Philotheus asked our Lord Christ that the earth might open her mouth, and swallow up the idols and their priests. And straightway the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the idols and their priests, and there was a great outcry round about; and when the people saw this, many of them believed on our Lord Christ. And the emperor was wroth, and he commanded the soldiers to cut off the heads of them all with the sword, [and they did so,] and they received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of the heavens, and entered into life everlasting. As for Saint Philotheus, when the emperor was tired of torturing him he commanded them to cut off his head with the sword, and he received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of the heavens.
And on this day died the holy father Palladius, the fighter. This saint lived for fifty years in his cell without going outside of it, and he never looked upon the face of a woman. And the gift of prophecy and the power to work signs and wonders were given unto him in such a remarkable degree, that his fame was heard all through the country. And there was a certain merchant in the city of Mesr (Cairo), and he departed to make a journey in a ship, and the waves rose up and were about to sink the ship. And when hope failed, this merchant cried out, saying, “I take refuge in the prayer of Abba Palladius; if ever I escape from this death I will give him one hundred dinars”; and straightway he saw Saint Palladius steering the ship with his cross, and he brought it into port. And when the merchant arrived in the city he took one hundred dinars, and hired a horse and set out to go to Abba Palladius. And when evening fell upon him he arrived at a certain city, and he took up his abode in the guest house, and he found there a man whose name was Morik, and he told him everything which was in his heart. And Morik said unto him, “I know his place, and I will bring thee to him.” And on the following day the two of them set out, and they came to Abba Palladius, and saluted him, and the merchant gave him the gold which he had brought with him, and spread it out before him. And Abba Palladius looked at it and blessed him; and said unto him, “I have no need of this gold. Go and distribute it among the poor and needy so that thou mayest gain usury from it before God.” When the merchant heard this he fell down at his feet and begged and entreated him to accept it as a gift. When Saint Palladius saw that he made most earnest entreaty to him, he took one dinar, and said unto him, “I will accept this from thee as a blessing; as for the rest, do as I command thee, and distribute it among the poor.” And having taken the gold the merchant buried it in the ground. And when he came to the river, Satan entered into the heart of Morik, and he wanted to take the merchant’s money; and he leaped upon the merchant in anger and killed him. Then he carried away the dead body by night, and cast it down at the door of Abba Palladius. And on the following day he went to the governor and told him about the murder. When the governor came, he bound Abba Palladius in strong fetters, and he questioned him about the dead man, and Palladius said, “I did not kill him.” And when they brought him to the coffin containing the body, he took hold of the body and prayed for a long time, and he said, “I command thee, O dead body, in the Name of God to rise up and to declare who it was that killed thee.” And the dead man rose up and said that Morik had killed him for his money. When the governor saw this miracle he bowed down before Abba Palladius, and he was dismayed because he had entreated him evilly; and intending to kill Morik he released Palladius. And having fought strenuously Palladius died at a good old age.
And on this day also fifteen hundred soldiers [or, ten thousand five hundred] and their three prefects who were companions of Saint Philotheus became martyrs.
And on this day also two thousand and four soldiers [or, ten thousand four hundred] who were companions of Saint Cyriacus, and his mother Julitta became martyrs.
And on this day also is commemorated the blessed Saint Sahma, one of the Nine Saints, who fought a good fight, and pleased God.
And on this day also died the holy father, the pure virgin, John, the forty-eighth Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. This father became a monk in his early years in the church of Saint Abba Macarius, in the desert of Scete; and he fought a great fight and devoted himself to fasting, and prayer, and vigil, and God elected him, and the Archbishop Abba Michael made him a priest in the church of Saint Minas the martyr, and he gave to him all his money and his land as a gift, and the votive offerings which the people brought to the church, and he followed peacefully a right course in that church. When Abba Minas, the archbishop who preceded him, died, the bishops, and priests, and learned men gathered together in the city of Alexandria to elect an archbishop, and they wrote down on pieces of paper the names of several men. And a certain righteous man said, “Why did ye make Saint John administrator of the church of Saint Minas?” And they all said, “Verily he is worthy of this office.” And one wrote his name on a piece of paper, which was thrust in among the other pieces of paper, and they laid them on the altar; and they continued in prayer and the singing of hymns for three days and three nights. And they brought a child from the church, and he drew a paper from among the papers, and they found that the name of this saint was written upon it. Then thy took that paper and thrust it in again among the other papers, and they brought another child, and he also drew that paper; and when a third child was brought he drew that same paper, and the name of this saint was found to be written upon it. Then straightway they knew that God had chosen him for his office, and they seized him and against his will they made him Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. And having been appointed he protected his flock, and he read to them frequently the Books of God, and he confirmed them in the doing of good in the True Faith, and his charities and alms to all men were very many. In his days a great famine took place in the land of Egypt, and they sold one measure of grain for two dinars in gold, and each day many poor folk of every nationality gathered together at the door of his house, asking for food. And he put his disciple Mark in charge of the money of the church, and he gave to all the poor what they needed both morning and evening, until God removed His wrath from men. And this father built many churches, and adorned them with suitable adornments. And because of the numerous works of charity which he carried out, and his alms and his gifts, this father was called “John the Merciful.” and indeed he was merciful to the poor, and the wretched, and the widows and the orphans. When the day of his death drew nigh, he told the priests the day whereon he would die. And he said unto them, “I was born on the sixteenth of Ter, and I was named archbishop on that day, and on that day I shall die”; and when he told the bishops this they wept, and they said unto him, “Our father, who will be appointed archbishop over us after thee?” And he said unto them, “Mark the priest, my servant, for our Lord Jesus Christ hath elected him to this office.” And on the sixteenth day of the month of Ter this father died, having sat as archbishop for twenty-three years. In his days died David who had been made Archbishop of the city of Antioch by force, and his predecessor George, having passed ten years in prison, was appointed. When this father was appointed Abba John wrote to him an Epistle on the True Faith, and when Abba George died a certain just man whose name was Yarikos was appointed in his stead. And he wrote a letter and sent it to Abba John, who received him in the Holy Spirit, and rejoiced in his letter, and sent to him an answer to the same.
And on this day also died Mar Daniel, the Syrian, of the city of ‘Amed. The father of this saint was rich in gold and silver, and when his father died Abba Dionysius, Bishop of the city of ‘Amed, brought him up, and taught him the Books of the Church, and then made him a deacon and priest, and arrayed him in the garb of the monastic life. And Mar Daniel continued in fasting and prayer, and he never ate food between one Sabbath and the next, and at length the gift of healing was bestowed upon him; and he made a vow to himself that he would never look upon a woman. When his mother heard of the report of him she came to him, and wished to see him, and when she sent a message to him he said unto her, “I have made a vow that I will never look upon a woman.” And she said unto him, “I am thy mother. Why dost thou treat me like other women?” When he refused [to see] her, she pulled off her veil and cursed him, saying, “God maketh me to see thee laughing, and two women wrapped up in a single garment shall look upon thee.” After a few days a certain man took three hundred dinars of gold to give them to Mar Daniel, and in the evening, when he arrived at the gate of the cell of the saint, his companion rose up against him, and slew him through his love of money. When the King of ‘Amed heard the story about a dead man being found at the door of Mar Daniel, he commanded [his soldiers] to bring the saint before him. And when the women who were bathing in the bath-house heard the story about Mar Daniel, two of them rushed out to see him, and because of their great haste they had only a single garment to cover them both. And Abba Daniel laughed when he knew that his mother’s curse had come upon him. When the king questioned him about the dead man Saint Daniel said unto him, “I did not kill him”; and through the prayer of Abba Daniel the dead man rose up and declared who had killed him. When the king and all the people saw this, they worshipped the God of Saint Daniel and they killed the murderer. Then the king gave unto Abba Daniel much money, and when he refused to accept it he built a monastery for him, and many monks gathered together therein. And then growing old and fighting strenuously, he became a little sick, and he died in peace. Salutation to Daniel who vowed that he would never look upon a woman.
Salutation to Julitta, the mother of Cyriacus. Salutation to the five thousand martyrs who suffered with Cyriacus.
Salutation to Philotheus. Salutation to the fifteen hundred soldiers and their three prefects, the companions of Philotheus, who suffered martyrdom.
Salutation to Palladius, and two-fold salutation to his disciple Theophilus.
Salutation to John, the revealer of mysteries.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
Week One, Day Two
The Second Day
Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Kidane Mehret, St. Philothes of Antioch, Abba Saint Palladius
The Second Day
Morning Prayer
In the name of the Father…
Opening Prayer
O God Our Lord, who are the source of all good things; give us your grace, and help us to start this new day with you and end it with you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Holy Son, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, One God. Now and forever. Amen. Our Father…. O may Lady Mary…
Psalm 9: 1 – 20
9:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvellous works. 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to your name, O thou most High. 9:3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence. 9:4 For you have maintained my right and my cause; you sit in the throne judging right. 9:5 You have rebuked the heathen, you have destroyed the wicked, you have put out their name forever and ever. 9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and you have destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 9:7 But the Lord shall endure forever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 9:9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 9:10 And they that know your name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, have not forsaken them that seek thee. 9:11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwells in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 9:12 When he makes inquisition for blood, he remembers them: he forgets not the cry of the humble. 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that lifts me up from the gates of death: 9:14 That I may recount all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation. 9:15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 9:16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. 9:19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in your sight. 9:20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 10: 1 – end
10:1 Why stand afar off, O Lord? why hide thou thyself in times of trouble? 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 10:3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and blesses the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 10:5 His ways are always grievous; your judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffs at them. 10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 10:8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 10:9 He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draws him into his net. 10:10 He croucheth, and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. 10:12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand: forget not the humble. 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. 10:14 You have seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand: the poor committeth himself to thee; you are the helper of the fatherless. 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. 10:16 The Lord is King forever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. 10:17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause your ear to hear: 10:18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 11: 1 – end
11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 11:5 The Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates. 11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 11:7 For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Readings
1st Reading
Jonah 2: 1 – 9
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of She’ol I cried, and thou didst hear my voice. For thou didst cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood was around about me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, “I am cast out from your presence; how shall I again look upon your holy temple?” The waters closed in over me, the deep was around about me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet thou didst bring up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to thee, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to thee; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!” He who receives the prophet by the name of the prophet, shall receive the saint’s …
2nd Reading
Romans 5: 1 – 5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. He who receives the Apostle by the name of the Apostle shall receive the Apostle’s reward. Amen
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 65:1 – 2
65:1Praise is due to thee, O God, in Zion; and to thee shall all vows be performed, 65:2 O thou who hearest prayer! To thee shall all flesh come. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. Matthew 18:5 – 8
Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and be drowned in depth of sea. “Woe to the world for temptation to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. Heaven and earth shall pass away….
Concluding prayer:
God of power and mercy, your steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear you, and your righteousness to children’s children to those who keep your covenant. Grant us your grace and love. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. Our Father… O may Lady Mary…
Day 2
Evening Prayer
In the name of the Father and……..
Opening Prayer
O God Our Lord, who are the source of all good things; give us your grace, and help us to start this new night with you and end it with you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Holy Son, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, One God. Now and forever. Amen. Our Father…. O may Lady Mary…
Psalm 12: 1-8
12:1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 12:3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things: 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him. 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 12:7 Thou shall keep them, O Lord, thou shall preserve them from this generation forever. 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 13: 1-6
13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? forever? how long wilt thou hide your face from me? 13:2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 13:3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 13:4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 13:5 But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 13:6 I will sing to the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Psalm 14: 1-7
14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. 14:5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 14:6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge. 14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning…
Scripture Reading
1st Reading
Jeremiah 42: 19-22
The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day. For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me to the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us to the Lord our God; and according to all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare to us, and we will do it. And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me to you. Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn. He who receives the prophet, by the prophet by the name of the prophet …
2nd Reading
Romans 6: 12-14
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. He who receives the saint, by the name of the saint …
3rd Reading (Chant)
Psalm 34: 1-2
34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Halleluiah, stand up and harken to the Holy Gospel, the message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4th Reading
The Gospel of St. John 15: 12-14
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life…
Concluding Prayer
God of power and mercy, your steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear you, and your righteousness to children’s children to those who keep your covenant. Grant us your grace and love. We ask this in your holy name. Amen. Our Father… O may Lady Mary…
The Synaxarium:
THE FIFTH MONTH
TIR 16
(January 24)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
ONE GOD. AMEN.
On this day Saint Philotheus, which name being interpreted is “lover of God,” became a martyr. This saint was a man of Antioch, and his parents worshipped a bull which was called “Maraged.” And they fed the bull on fine flour, which was boiled and mixed with fat, and seed-oil, and the honey of bees, and they anointed him with scented unguents thrice daily, and gave him wine and seed-oil to drink; and they built one house for him to live in during the winter and another for the summer. And they placed a collar of gold round his neck, and rings of gold on his fore legs and hind legs. Now this saint was of very goodly appearance. And when he was ten years old his parents talked to him, and told him that he must worship the bull, but he would neither listen to their words nor do this thing, and because of their love for him, and because they did not wish to annoy him, they let him alone. Now Saint Philotheus did not know Christ, and he thought that the sun was God. And he stood up before the sun, saying, “I beseech thee, O sun, if thou art God, to tell me so”; and a voice came unto him from above, saying, “I am not God, but I am the servant and messenger of God Whom thou knowest, and thy blood shall be shed for the Name of God--Glory be to Him!” And when God saw the integrity of heart of the boy Philotheus, He sent His angel to him at that moment, and the angel informed him about the mystery of God, and opened his heart so that he might understand what he said unto him; and when he had told him everything, beginning with the creation of the world, and ending with the Incarnation of our Lord Christ, the heart of the boy rejoiced and his spirit was glad. From that day he fasted, and prayed many prayers frequently, and he ate bread and salt only, and he gave alms to the poor and needy. And when a year had passed his parents determined to give a feast to his friends and companions, and they required of their son to offer incense in honor of the bull, before they ate and drank. And the boy Philotheus stood up before the bull, and said unto him, “Is it true that thou art a god whom men worship?” And a voice came forth from the bull which said, “I am not a god, but Satan hath entered my heart and I have become a deceiver of men.” Then the bull rose up and attacked the parents of the saint, and he gored them with his horns, and killed them. And the saint commanded his slaves to kill the bull [and they did so], and they burnt him in the fire, and scattered [his ashes] to the winds. And the parents of the saint were lying there dead, and God gave grace to Saint Philotheus, and he prayed over them, and their souls returned to them, and they rose up straightway and told him how they had seen the punishments which were [inflicted] in Sheol. And after this Saint Philotheus and his parents were baptized with Christian baptism in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. And God gave him grace and power and he healed many sick folk by his prayer. And the report of him reached Diocletian the emperor, who sent and had him brought to him. And he said unto Saint Philotheus, “Cast incense to Apollo”; and he promised to give him many things if he would do so; and the saint rejected his promised things and his words. And the emperor commanded the soldiers to punish him with every kind of torture, [and they did so]. They first beat him with whips, and then they laid stones on his belly, and they did everything they could; but he was strong in the strength of God our Lord Jesus Christ. And he cursed the infidel emperor, and his unclean gods, until they smote him on the mouth, and cut out his tongue and broke his teeth; and when they had done all these things to him he would not hearken to the voice of the emperor. Then the emperor began to persuade him, and to use words of blandishment and flattery to him, but Saint Philotheus laughed at him, and promised that he would worship that idol; and the emperor rejoiced at this and imagined that he would really do so. And he commanded his servants to bring Apollo, and the men and priests of the idols, and a herald went through the city who cried out, saying, “Come, O all ye people, so that ye may see Philotheus worshipping Apollo”: and all the people gathered together about the tribune. And as they were bringing the idols along the road, Saint Philotheus asked our Lord Christ that the earth might open her mouth, and swallow up the idols and their priests. And straightway the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the idols and their priests, and there was a great outcry round about; and when the people saw this, many of them believed on our Lord Christ. And the emperor was wroth, and he commanded the soldiers to cut off the heads of them all with the sword, [and they did so,] and they received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of the heavens, and entered into life everlasting. As for Saint Philotheus, when the emperor was tired of torturing him he commanded them to cut off his head with the sword, and he received the crown of martyrdom in the kingdom of the heavens.
And on this day died the holy father Palladius, the fighter. This saint lived for fifty years in his cell without going outside of it, and he never looked upon the face of a woman. And the gift of prophecy and the power to work signs and wonders were given unto him in such a remarkable degree, that his fame was heard all through the country. And there was a certain merchant in the city of Mesr (Cairo), and he departed to make a journey in a ship, and the waves rose up and were about to sink the ship. And when hope failed, this merchant cried out, saying, “I take refuge in the prayer of Abba Palladius; if ever I escape from this death I will give him one hundred dinars”; and straightway he saw Saint Palladius steering the ship with his cross, and he brought it into port. And when the merchant arrived in the city he took one hundred dinars, and hired a horse and set out to go to Abba Palladius. And when evening fell upon him he arrived at a certain city, and he took up his abode in the guest house, and he found there a man whose name was Morik, and he told him everything which was in his heart. And Morik said unto him, “I know his place, and I will bring thee to him.” And on the following day the two of them set out, and they came to Abba Palladius, and saluted him, and the merchant gave him the gold which he had brought with him, and spread it out before him. And Abba Palladius looked at it and blessed him; and said unto him, “I have no need of this gold. Go and distribute it among the poor and needy so that thou mayest gain usury from it before God.” When the merchant heard this he fell down at his feet and begged and entreated him to accept it as a gift. When Saint Palladius saw that he made most earnest entreaty to him, he took one dinar, and said unto him, “I will accept this from thee as a blessing; as for the rest, do as I command thee, and distribute it among the poor.” And having taken the gold the merchant buried it in the ground. And when he came to the river, Satan entered into the heart of Morik, and he wanted to take the merchant’s money; and he leaped upon the merchant in anger and killed him. Then he carried away the dead body by night, and cast it down at the door of Abba Palladius. And on the following day he went to the governor and told him about the murder. When the governor came, he bound Abba Palladius in strong fetters, and he questioned him about the dead man, and Palladius said, “I did not kill him.” And when they brought him to the coffin containing the body, he took hold of the body and prayed for a long time, and he said, “I command thee, O dead body, in the Name of God to rise up and to declare who it was that killed thee.” And the dead man rose up and said that Morik had killed him for his money. When the governor saw this miracle he bowed down before Abba Palladius, and he was dismayed because he had entreated him evilly; and intending to kill Morik he released Palladius. And having fought strenuously Palladius died at a good old age.
And on this day also fifteen hundred soldiers [or, ten thousand five hundred] and their three prefects who were companions of Saint Philotheus became martyrs.
And on this day also two thousand and four soldiers [or, ten thousand four hundred] who were companions of Saint Cyriacus, and his mother Julitta became martyrs.
And on this day also is commemorated the blessed Saint Sahma, one of the Nine Saints, who fought a good fight, and pleased God.
And on this day also died the holy father, the pure virgin, John, the forty-eighth Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. This father became a monk in his early years in the church of Saint Abba Macarius, in the desert of Scete; and he fought a great fight and devoted himself to fasting, and prayer, and vigil, and God elected him, and the Archbishop Abba Michael made him a priest in the church of Saint Minas the martyr, and he gave to him all his money and his land as a gift, and the votive offerings which the people brought to the church, and he followed peacefully a right course in that church. When Abba Minas, the archbishop who preceded him, died, the bishops, and priests, and learned men gathered together in the city of Alexandria to elect an archbishop, and they wrote down on pieces of paper the names of several men. And a certain righteous man said, “Why did ye make Saint John administrator of the church of Saint Minas?” And they all said, “Verily he is worthy of this office.” And one wrote his name on a piece of paper, which was thrust in among the other pieces of paper, and they laid them on the altar; and they continued in prayer and the singing of hymns for three days and three nights. And they brought a child from the church, and he drew a paper from among the papers, and they found that the name of this saint was written upon it. Then thy took that paper and thrust it in again among the other papers, and they brought another child, and he also drew that paper; and when a third child was brought he drew that same paper, and the name of this saint was found to be written upon it. Then straightway they knew that God had chosen him for his office, and they seized him and against his will they made him Archbishop of the city of Alexandria. And having been appointed he protected his flock, and he read to them frequently the Books of God, and he confirmed them in the doing of good in the True Faith, and his charities and alms to all men were very many. In his days a great famine took place in the land of Egypt, and they sold one measure of grain for two dinars in gold, and each day many poor folk of every nationality gathered together at the door of his house, asking for food. And he put his disciple Mark in charge of the money of the church, and he gave to all the poor what they needed both morning and evening, until God removed His wrath from men. And this father built many churches, and adorned them with suitable adornments. And because of the numerous works of charity which he carried out, and his alms and his gifts, this father was called “John the Merciful.” and indeed he was merciful to the poor, and the wretched, and the widows and the orphans. When the day of his death drew nigh, he told the priests the day whereon he would die. And he said unto them, “I was born on the sixteenth of Ter, and I was named archbishop on that day, and on that day I shall die”; and when he told the bishops this they wept, and they said unto him, “Our father, who will be appointed archbishop over us after thee?” And he said unto them, “Mark the priest, my servant, for our Lord Jesus Christ hath elected him to this office.” And on the sixteenth day of the month of Ter this father died, having sat as archbishop for twenty-three years. In his days died David who had been made Archbishop of the city of Antioch by force, and his predecessor George, having passed ten years in prison, was appointed. When this father was appointed Abba John wrote to him an Epistle on the True Faith, and when Abba George died a certain just man whose name was Yarikos was appointed in his stead. And he wrote a letter and sent it to Abba John, who received him in the Holy Spirit, and rejoiced in his letter, and sent to him an answer to the same.
And on this day also died Mar Daniel, the Syrian, of the city of ‘Amed. The father of this saint was rich in gold and silver, and when his father died Abba Dionysius, Bishop of the city of ‘Amed, brought him up, and taught him the Books of the Church, and then made him a deacon and priest, and arrayed him in the garb of the monastic life. And Mar Daniel continued in fasting and prayer, and he never ate food between one Sabbath and the next, and at length the gift of healing was bestowed upon him; and he made a vow to himself that he would never look upon a woman. When his mother heard of the report of him she came to him, and wished to see him, and when she sent a message to him he said unto her, “I have made a vow that I will never look upon a woman.” And she said unto him, “I am thy mother. Why dost thou treat me like other women?” When he refused [to see] her, she pulled off her veil and cursed him, saying, “God maketh me to see thee laughing, and two women wrapped up in a single garment shall look upon thee.” After a few days a certain man took three hundred dinars of gold to give them to Mar Daniel, and in the evening, when he arrived at the gate of the cell of the saint, his companion rose up against him, and slew him through his love of money. When the King of ‘Amed heard the story about a dead man being found at the door of Mar Daniel, he commanded [his soldiers] to bring the saint before him. And when the women who were bathing in the bath-house heard the story about Mar Daniel, two of them rushed out to see him, and because of their great haste they had only a single garment to cover them both. And Abba Daniel laughed when he knew that his mother’s curse had come upon him. When the king questioned him about the dead man Saint Daniel said unto him, “I did not kill him”; and through the prayer of Abba Daniel the dead man rose up and declared who had killed him. When the king and all the people saw this, they worshipped the God of Saint Daniel and they killed the murderer. Then the king gave unto Abba Daniel much money, and when he refused to accept it he built a monastery for him, and many monks gathered together therein. And then growing old and fighting strenuously, he became a little sick, and he died in peace. Salutation to Daniel who vowed that he would never look upon a woman.
Salutation to Julitta, the mother of Cyriacus. Salutation to the five thousand martyrs who suffered with Cyriacus.
Salutation to Philotheus. Salutation to the fifteen hundred soldiers and their three prefects, the companions of Philotheus, who suffered martyrdom.
Salutation to Palladius, and two-fold salutation to his disciple Theophilus.
Salutation to John, the revealer of mysteries.
Glory be to God Who is glorified in His Saints. Amen.
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